2013 Open Clinical and Science Forums planned

Programs to focus on dental implants, antibiotic prophylaxis

October 07, 2013

By Jean Williams, ADA News staff

Dr. Froum

Dr. Lockhart

Dr. Glick

Dr. Meyer

New Orleans—The truth is out there—somewhere. To edge closer to it in dental science, join expert voices as they explore the space between myths and realities, which is the theme of the Open Clinical and Science Forums at the 2013 Annual Session.

Dr. Michael Glick, editor of the Journal of the American Dental Association, and Dr. Daniel Meyer, ADA senior vice president for Science and Professional Affairs, will host the forums.

“A lot of discussion has occurred in the dental community regarding these two topics over many years,” Dr. Glick said. “We want to bring it to the forefront in the open forums to present different points of view as well as give the audience an opportunity to interact with the presenters.”

Dr. Meyer said, “The presentations are intended to be thought-provoking, focusing on the most current and pressing topics related to dental implants and antibiotic prophylaxis at this time.”

“The open forum will be invaluable to any clinician who places and/or restores implants,” said Dr. Froum, a clinical professor and director of clinical research, department of periodontology and implant dentistry, New York University. “How many times does a clinician wish he or she had an experienced colleague to discuss an implant case? Well, this forum will provide that. With a panel of experts from several specialties, various myths regarding implant planning, placement and restoration will be discussed and the evidence-based realities presented.

“The attendee will learn what to do and what not to do to achieve more predictably successful outcomes. They will be able to ask questions concerning common and uncommon problems from clinicians who have experienced both. They will see what can go wrong and vicariously see how to avoid and treat problems that become clinical nightmares.”

“Antibiotic prophylaxis over the years has been recommended for more than 25 different patient populations that are seen in dental offices,” said Dr. Peter Lockhart, professor and chair, oral medicine department, Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C. “The most notable ones, of course, are cardiac patients and orthopedic joint patients, but there are many others. This has become a common practice and yet there's no evidence to suggest that dental procedures are anything more than very rarely responsible for distant-site infections. We're clearly using huge amounts of antibiotics in dental practices across the country every year and that puts patients in the health care system at much greater risk than not doing this.

“If you're at all confused about when or if to use antibiotic prophylaxis, we're going to try to clear up a lot of the controversy and long-standing mystery behind all of it.”

Dr. Meyer added, “The open forums provide a professionally rewarding opportunity for clinicians in the audience and panel members representing a variety of oral health disciplines to share their respective clinical expertise and insight on complex professional issues.”

On-site at Annual Session, the forums will convene in Hall C (back of the 100 aisle). Both forums are free, but registration and a ticket are required. Attendees will earn 1.5 continuing education credits for each course.

ADA member dentists who don't attend the Annual Session can log onto the ADA365 online extension of the meeting and view the forums live at the scheduled times: 2:30 p.m. Central Standard Time on Oct. 31 and 2:30 p.m. Central Standard Time on Nov. 1.

See ADA.org/ADA365 for login information and details. ADA member dentists can access ADA365 at no charge, but they must preregister at ADA.org/ADA365 in mid-October. Nonmembers must pay $50 for access.